Anti- epileptic medications form the mainstay of treatment of epilepsy. However, in most individuals, drug therapy needs to be often supplemented by various forms of non- pharmacological or 'non-drug therapies. Though there is some scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness, research is still considerably limited. It is however, universally accepted that these are complementary therapies and not alternative therapies, in other words, they cannot replace anti-epileptic medication.
		Reduction of stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety are very common and important triggers of seizures.
		Progressive muscular relaxation: Progressive muscular relaxation requires little by way of sophisticated equipment and can be easily mastered under a trained therapist. The therapy consists of relaxing the entire body slowly in a step by step fashion to achieve a state of relaxation. When practiced in the prodromal state, it often helps in terminating the impending seizure
		Yoga: Yoga is an age-old method of 'healthy living' that primarily seeks to enhance the "life force" (Prana) residing in the body in order to achieve a state of balance and harmony between body and mind. A Yoga session consists of three parts: breathing exercises, body postures and meditation.
		Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) involves the application of a low frequency magnetic field around the head and has been shown to be effective in reducing seizure frequency. However, the effects of this method wear off in six to eight weeks.
		Biofeedback: Biofeedback has been shown to be helpful in individuals with secondarily generalized epilepsy; these are individuals who experience an aura prior to their seizure. In this method, individuals are taught to control their brain waves, so that they can terminate the seizure as soon as it begins.
		Other Complementary Treatment Methods:
			Acupressure and acupuncture: The techniques of acupressure and acupuncture form a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Ancient Chinese theory states that the life force (chi) flows through the body along fourteen invisible channels (meridians), each associated with organs of the body. Stimulating these points is said to balance or restore the flow of life force. In acupressure, these vital points are stimulated using finger pressure while in acupuncture, the points are stimulated using fine needles.
			Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy involves the use of pure aromatic oils extracted from plants. These oils are believed to possess the plants' life forces and have distinct effects on the body and the brain. These oils can be used in a number of ways including inhalation, massage, diffusion, bathing, hot and cold compresses, and perfumes.
			Herbal medicine: Herbal medicine employs plant remedies to treat the underlying disease rather than symptoms. Various plant products which have been suggested as possibly efficacious in the treatment of epilepsy include cannabis sativa (Note: While cannabis sativa is being tested for its use in epilepsy in western countries, this is in a purely experimental stage. Cannabis sativa is a banned substance and possession and use of cannabis sativa is illegal and punishable by law), Chinaberry juice, Gingko biloba, Qingyang shen, Shosaiko-to-go-keishi-ka-shakuyaku-to (nine herb extract).
			Homeopathy: Homeopathy is a branch of medicine, which sees symptoms as the body's way of reacting to an illness in its attempts to overcome it. Practitioners of homeopathy serve small doses of substances to restore the body's natural healing resources.
		Ketogenic Diet
		Individuals with seizures frequently experience psychological problems because of their
			Long-standing illness
			The stigma of epilepsy
			Anti-epileptic medication and
			The disease process of epilepsy, itself.
		These individuals often benefit from supportive counseling. However, in some individuals, depending on the severity of the emotional problem, cognitive behavior therapy and other formal psychological therapies might be warranted.